Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-08-19

fectonato neighbors, ana heartily
wished them back. Only one compan-
ion remained TO me-a poor little dog.
which had fed, and which had in con-
sequence attached itself TO me.
1t was not natural that should sleep
very soundly under such circumstances.
1t was night of the full moon. The
sky was almost as clear as day. and it
was extremely warm.
My hammock hung within my hut.
tossed and turned in it without
closing my eyes. Occasionally i arose
and looked out into the night All
was silent save the hum of insects.
The Travelling Family were not yet ar
rived; neither whoop Of savage man
nor roar of savage beast was audible
At last | slept. | was deep in
dreamland, when the bowling of my
dog aroused me. He was quiet ami
nal, and lay c,Tled up on the floor be-
meath me; but rs Lifted my head, |
saw him at the door we'll outlined
against the moonlight. Every line of
his wiry frame expressed abject terror
Whatever they are, the Travelling
Family are here I said to myself,
"and that dog sees them" and L
sprang to my feet, wrapped my blank
ct about me as sort of shield, and siez-
ed my pistol.
Thus prepared | stood at the door.
The bright sky was overhead. The
little adobe village all about me. Be-
yond, the wide pampa spread afar, with
its covering of coarse grass, which.
when moved by the wind, took the
form of ocean pillows. But what was
this? Spreading for miles away broad
and long, a great black river seemed
to be running over the pampa. Slow
" it drew nearer, and heard a noise
like the rustling and cracking of hard
paper, only much louder than is possi'
BILE to this sound.
Something came something my dog
feared horribly Terror is infectious.
merely paused TO seize my portfolio.
| had not undrcssed for the night and
followed him as he rushed out of the
village.
At daybreak | had reached the mar
Gin of a river, and, happily, a rude
hostelry, where rest and food might be
obtained. The landlord spoke English
Where do you come from?" he
asked.
told him.
Then | do not ask you Why yor
come" he said. Il know already tina
the Travelling Fam " have come. Goo
abate that nu sance, and may they turr
the other way, or it will be our turn tC
run next. How is it that you are be
hind the others? You must be the mar
from the United States they told me of
Perhaps Yankee curiosity got the best
of you. You desired to see this Travel
ing Family"
well? And since YOU can speal
English, pray tell me what it is yo'
call by that name?' said.
Don't you know" he asked. The,
are ants. A great body of ants; larg
and very strong ants, which travel con
stantly. The line of march is neve
certain, but they eat every thing a
they 90. The grass, the herbs, tn
vegetables and all creeping things. The.
cat anything in fact-alvc or dead
animal or vegetable. There is no:hin!
that can be done TO drive them back
They can not be killed. There are toe
many. So the people fly and 60 bacl
when the pests depart. / hope yor
left nothing valuable in your house
You will never see it again if you have
They clear their path utterly
Ants" cried; land so the Travel
ing Family is nothing but a band o
ants?'
Nothing" said mine host. "Wai
until YOU see their work "
| waited. The Travelling Family die
not turn that way, and one day my ole
neighbors passed the inn on their way
home. They hailed me with astonish-
ment, and | returned with them.
curious sight presented itself. Through
the pampa great path was eaten No
grass remained. All was perfect,
clean brown earth. All tho GROUND
about the huts was as smooth as a bald
head. My hut still stood; but the ham
mock, sheepskin mat l had, my
clothing. all my little household gods,
were gone. devoured. not thread left
Not an insect, bug or reptile OF any
sort remained alive, and we could
trace the track of the Travelling Family
away to the nearest valley.
Thank Heaven. they will not come
again this year." the Mexcans said, a:
they set TO work to repair and rear
range their homes.
And as for myself, was consider
ably poorer for my doubt of my in.
formant's good intentions and my
ignorance concerning the Travelling
Family. Mary Kyle Dallas, in Neu
York Ledger.